If there's one category of player that Boston Bruins fans will never get tired of, it's the enforcer. The NHL isn't how it used to be, but you only have to see how quickly fans took to Nikita Zadorov, Mark Kastelic, and Tanner Jeannot to see that there is still a place in the city for big fighters. However, those players are never going to make their way onto the list below.
Terry O'Reilly
The franchise leader in penalty minutes (2,095) and fights (150) had to be the first player listed. Terry O'Reilly struck fear in the hearts of many rivals, which was rare in a time when most players weren't afraid of anyone. Only the toughest of opponents stood up to Taz, and he didn't back down with 150 fights.
O'Reilly's most infamous moment was his involvement in the 1979 brawl that spilled into the stands of Madison Square Garden. The citizens of New York quickly learned who the toughest player in Bruins history was.
Shawn Thornton
There were many Big Bad Bruins who could've made this list, but it would've been incomplete without the player who tried to single-handedly bring that back to the modern-day teams. With enforcers becoming a dying breed, Thornton held down his spot on the Merlot Line because not only was he one of the most feared players in the league, but he could also play a bit too.
Thornton is second on the Bruins' all-time list with 102 fights, and his pugilism was a big, underrated reason why the team came together and won the 2011 Stanley Cup.
John Wensink
The Bruins had a knack for rostering enforcers who could also hurt you on the scoresheet. Wensink totaled 46 points in one of his seasons with Boston, but one of the main reasons was that he gave himself so much space due to the uncertainty of when his mood would turn.
So, you think you're tough, eh?
— The Hockey Samurai 侍 (@hockey_samurai) April 1, 2021
Dec. 1st, 1977. John Wensink challenges the Minnesota North Stars bench after filling in Alex Pirus. #NHLBruins #Bruins
Wensink. What a beauty. pic.twitter.com/zlpeJv6iKc
Wensink doesn't top any lists of penalty minutes or fights, but that is mostly because not many players messed around when he was on the ice. Imagine challenging an entire bench in that era and not having one player step forward to answer the bell.
Stan Jonathan
Another player who could play as well as fight was Stan Jonathan, who was really one of the toughest pound-for-pound fighters in the toughest era in NHL history. Jonathan only stood at 5-8, but he took on the league's biggest and meanest enforcers. He would go on to total 60 fights in 411 games, but would've had much more if everyone he tried to fight was willing to go.
Lyndon Byers
Lyndon Byers stole the hearts of Bruins fans in the late 80s when his game turned from a depth player to one of the team's most feared fighters. He is fifth in Bruins history with 80 fights, and the number of times he beat up a Montreal Canadiens player made him one of the most popular players in the city despite playing just 261 games.
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